Tag: pubmed

J Natl Cancer Inst. 2025 Mar 20:djaf062. doi: 10.1093/jnci/djaf062. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Despite advances in breast cancer treatment, recurrence remains common and contributes to higher mortality risk. Among the potential mechanisms, inflammation plays a key role in recurrence by promoting tumor progression. Exercise provides a wide array of health benefits and may reduce inflammation, potentially reducing mortality risk. However, the effects of exercise, including mode (ie, resistance training [RT], aerobic training [AT], and combined RT and AT) and program duration, on inflammatory biomarkers in breast cancer survivors remain to be elucidated.

METHODS: A systematic search was undertaken in PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, SPORTDiscus and CENTRAL in August 2024. Randomized controlled trials examining the effects of exercise on IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, and CRP were included. A random-effects meta-analysis was undertaken to quantify the magnitude of change.

RESULTS: Twenty-two studies were included (n = 968). Exercise induced small to large significant reductions in IL-6 (SMD = -0.85; 95% CI = -1.68 to -0.02; p = .05) and TNF-α (SMD = -0.40; 95% CI = -0.81 to 0.01; p = .05) and a trend for a decrease in CRP. When stratifying by exercise mode, trends toward reduction in IL-6 and TNF-α were observed for combined exercise, whilst changes were not generally affected by exercise program duration.

CONCLUSION: Exercise, especially combined RT and AT, can reduce pro-inflammatory biomarkers, and may be a suitable strategy to reduce inflammation in breast cancer survivors. However, further research is needed to investigate the effects of exercise mode and program duration on markers of inflammation in this survivor group.

PMID:40112254 | DOI:10.1093/jnci/djaf062

PLoS One. 2025 Mar 20;20(3):e0319105. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0319105. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to reveal urban-rural disparities in successful aging among Chinese older adults and the impact of gender and age on aging outcomes. We utilized the Successful Aging Index (SAI), a multidimensional measure encompassing social, economic, bio-clinical, psychological, and lifestyle factors. Scores on the SAI range from 0 to 10, with higher scores signifying better aging. Data was sourced from the 2018 Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey, comprising 7,315 participants. Urban older adults (OU) had significantly higher SAI scores than rural older adults (OR), with averages of 4.32 ± 1.44 and 3.85 ± 1.24, respectively (p < 0.001). Men showed more successful aging than women, regardless of their residence (p < 0.001). OU had better financial and educational status and higher social activity scores, except for friend interaction (p < 0.001). They were more physically active (p < 0.001), more adherent to the Mediterranean diet (p < 0.001), and less likely to smoke (p = 0.018). However, OU had a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors compared to OR (p < 0.001). Notably, depression scores were similar between OU and OR (p = 0.129). In summary, significant urban-rural differences in successful aging are evident among Chinese older adults, with urban-dwelling older adults aging more successfully than their rural peers. Men, irrespective of their place of residence, experience more successful aging outcomes than women.

PMID:40112253 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0319105

PLoS One. 2025 Mar 20;20(3):e0320065. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0320065. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Sex workers of all genders have a high risk of HIV acquisition and are a priority population for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). We aimed to assess current oral PrEP use and associated factors among cisgender female sex workers (FSW) in two Ugandan cities.

METHODS: We administered a survey questionnaire to 236 HIV-negative FSW in the cities of Mbale and Mbarara from January to March 2020. The survey was nested in a quasi-experimental study to assess the effect of peer education and text message reminders on the uptake of regular sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV testing. Using interviewer-administered questionnaires, we obtained data on current self-reported tenofovir-based oral PrEP use. We used modified Poisson regression with robust standard errors to evaluate the factors associated with current oral PrEP usage.

RESULTS: Nearly 70% of FSWs reported taking an HIV test during the past three months. Among the respondents, 33% (33/100) in Mbale and 67% (91/136) in Mbarara reported having ever heard of PrEP. However, only 9.7% (23/236) self-reported currently taking oral-PrEP. In Mbarara, FSWs were twice as likely to be aware of or use oral PrEP than those in Mbale (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] 2.33; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.19-3.97; p = 0.01). Additionally, current use was positively associated with attainment of secondary (aPR 2.50; 95% CI: 1.14-5.45; p = 0.02) or tertiary education (aPR 3.12; 95% CI: 1.09-8.96; p = 0.03).

CONCLUSION: PrEP use in this cohort of FSWs was low and was associated with location and level of education. To increase PrEP uptake among FSWs, targeted educational campaigns and implementation studies are needed, particularly for those with lower levels of education.

PMID:40112250 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0320065

Microsc Microanal. 2025 Mar 17;31(2):ozaf008. doi: 10.1093/mam/ozaf008.

ABSTRACT

Lead is a common heavy metal used in a variety of products. We investigated the effect of lead-oxide nanoparticles (PbO-NPs) on the histological structure of the rat olfactory bulb (OB) and the potential therapeutic effect of stem cell-derived exosomes (EXOs). Forty male rats were included: 8 for EXO isolation and 32 were distributed into 4 groups: control, PbO-NPs group [intranasal (IN) 50 µL PbO-NPs/rat for 3 weeks], recovery group (PbO-NPs for 3 weeks and left for another 4 weeks), and PbO-NP-EXO (PbO-NPs for 3 weeks then IN EXO for another 3 weeks). After 7 weeks, olfactory behavioral tests were done before scarification. OBs were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, toluidine blue, and immunohistochemistry for synaptophysin (SYP), and ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule-1 (Iba-1) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). The results were confirmed by histomorphometry and statistical analysis. PbO-NPs and recovery groups showed a significant olfactory dysfunction, significant decrease in the thickness of OB layers and diameter of glomeruli, Nissl’s granules of mitral cells and SYP immunostaining, and a significant increase in Iba-1 and GFAP expression compared with control rats. In PbO-NP-EXO, notable regaining of OB structure and function was obvious with reversal of most of the behavioral and morphometric findings compared with the untreated groups. IN EXO administration improved the structure and function of PbO-NP-induced OB neurotoxicity.

PMID:40112249 | DOI:10.1093/mam/ozaf008

PLoS One. 2025 Mar 20;20(3):e0317182. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0317182. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

Addressing the under-researched issue of weapon tolerance, the paper examines factors behind male knife and gun tolerance across four different cultures, seeking to rank them in terms of predictive power and shed light on relations between them. To this end, four regression and structural equation modelling analyses were conducted using samples from the US (n = 189), India (n = 196), England (n = 107) and Poland (n = 375). Each sample of male participants indicated their standing on several dimensions (i.e., predictors) derived from theory and related research (i.e., Psychoticism, Need for Respect, Aggressive Masculinity, Belief in Social Mobility and Doubt in Authority). All four regression models were statistically significant. The knife tolerance predictors were: Aggressive Masculinity (positive) in the US, Poland and England, Belief in Social Mobility (negative) in the US and England, Need for Respect (positive) in India and Psychoticism (positive) in Poland. The gun tolerance predictors were: Psychoticism (positive) in the US, India and Poland, Aggressive Masculinity (positive) in the US, England and Poland, and Belief in in Social Mobility (negative) in the US, Belief in Social Mobility (positive) and Doubt in Authority (negative) in Poland. The Structural Equation Weapon Tolerance Model (WTM) suggested an indirect effect for the latent factor Perceived Social Ecological Constraints via its positive relation with the latent factor Saving Face, both knife and gun tolerance were predicted by Psychoticism.

PMID:40112246 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0317182

Neurology. 2025 Apr;104(7):e213442. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000213442. Epub 2025 Mar 20.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There is uncertainty about whether patients with an anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (LVO) and a low NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score (≤5) benefit from endovascular therapy (EVT) in the late time window (6-24 hours). We compared the clinical outcomes of these patients receiving EVT with those receiving medical management (MM).

METHODS: The CT for Late Endovascular Reperfusion multinational cohort study was conducted at 66 sites across 10 countries from January 2014 to May 2022. This subanalysis included consecutive patients with late-window stroke due to an anterior circulation LVO, defined as occlusion of the internal carotid artery or proximal middle cerebral artery (M1/M2 segments), and a baseline NIHSS score ≤5 who received EVT or MM alone. The primary end point was a 90-day ordinal shift in the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score. Secondary outcomes were 90-day excellent outcome (defined as mRS scores 0-1 or return to baseline mRS score in patients with a prestroke mRS score >1) and favorable outcome (defined as mRS scores 0-2 or return to baseline mRS score in patients with prestroke mRS score >2). Safety outcomes were symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and 90-day mortality. We used ordinal and binary logistic regression models to test for outcome differences.

RESULTS: Among 5,098 patients, 318 patients were included (median [interquartile range] age 67 [56-76] years; 149 [46.9%] were female; baseline NIHSS score was 4 [2-5]). A total of 202 patients (63.5%) received EVT and 116 MM (36.5%). There was no difference in favorable 90-day ordinal mRS score shift (adjusted common odds ratio [OR] 0.77, 95% CI 0.45-1.32), excellent outcome (adjusted OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.49-1.50), or favorable outcome (adjusted OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.35-1.50) in the EVT group compared with MM. Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage risk (adjusted OR 3.40, 95% CI 0.84-13.73) and mortality at 90 days (adjusted OR 2.44, 95% CI 0.60-10.02) were not statistically different between treatment groups.

DISCUSSION: In patients with an anterior LVO and low NIHSS score in the 6-24-hour time window, there was no statistical difference in disability outcomes or intracranial bleeding risk between patients treated with EVT compared with MM. The retrospective and observational design limits our findings. Ongoing randomized controlled trials will provide further insight.

CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class III evidence that in adult patients with anterior circulation LVO and low NIHSS score (≤5) presenting in the late time window (6-24 hours), EVT does not improve clinical outcome vs MM.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov under NCT04096248.

PMID:40112237 | DOI:10.1212/WNL.0000000000213442

Pharmacogenet Genomics. 2025 Mar 21. doi: 10.1097/FPC.0000000000000564. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Optimizing antiplatelet therapy is crucial in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs). This study aimed to assess the prevalence of CYP2C19 loss-of-function (LOF) variants and evaluate the clinical outcome of ticagrelor, clopidogrel, and aspirin in patients with ACS-PCI.

METHODS: This study included patients from the southern part of India (predominantly Tamil Nadu) with coronary artery disease and PCI. They were categorized based on their CYP2C19 LOF variants. Patients were further divided into group 1 (continued ticagrelor) and group 2 (switched to clopidogrel) and followed up for 40 months. The primary and secondary outcomes were evaluated.

RESULTS: A total of 287 patients were genotyped, 36.2% were normal, 46.3% were intermediate, and 17.5% were poor metabolizers, the predominant allele being CYP2C19*2. After considering only patients who underwent PCI and received ticagrelor, 111 patients were recruited. Ticagrelor was switched to clopidogrel in 45.9% of patients. No statistically significant differences in major adverse cardiovascular events or individual outcomes were observed among different metabolizer groups and patients switched from ticagrelor to clopidogrel. Intermediate metabolizers (IMs) exhibited a trend favoring ticagrelor continuation. Notably, discontinuation of aspirin in IM was linked to increased target vessel reintervention (TVR) in the clopidogrel-only group.

CONCLUSION: Our study provides preliminary evidence on favoring ticagrelor continuation and increased TVR upon aspirin withdrawal in IM.

PMID:40112230 | DOI:10.1097/FPC.0000000000000564

Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2025 Mar 20;27(2):24m03833. doi: 10.4088/PCC.24m03833.

ABSTRACT

Objective: To assess the relationship of perceived social support and pregnancy related anxiety (PRA) among third trimester pregnant women.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study. The data were collected from July 2021 to March 2022. Study participants included a total of 124 antenatal women who were in their third trimester. PRA was assessed with the Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale and Pregnancy Anxiety Questionnaire Revised 2. Perceived social support was measured using the Multidimensional Scale for Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Adequate statistical analysis was done.

Results: Frequency of PRA in the study population was 40.3%. The total MSPSS scores and all its domains were significantly lower in the anxious group (total: P = .002, significant other: P = .006, family: P = .031, and friends: P = .004). PRA was significantly associated with lower perceived social support (P= .002), higher education level (P= .028), and higher number of antenatal visits (P= .031).

Conclusion: Late-pregnancy anxiety is linked to perceived social support, and specific PRA themes (delivery, body shape, and child health) correlate with distinct perceived social support domains.

Prim Care Companion CNS Disord 2025;27(2):24m03833.

Author affiliations are listed at the end of this article.

PMID:40112212 | DOI:10.4088/PCC.24m03833

N Z Vet J. 2025 Mar 20:1-10. doi: 10.1080/00480169.2025.2473347. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: To describe the current capacity, resource limitations and challenges of cat and kitten rescue organisations (CKR) in New Zealand; to document the source and destination of the animals cared for; and to explore the role of foster programmes in cat rescue and rehoming in New Zealand.

METHODS: A national cross-sectional survey was administered to companion animal rescue organisations in New Zealand in May 2022. For those engaged in CKR, the survey included questions about types and numbers of cats cared for, facilities, locations, origins and outcomes of cats in care, reasons for owner surrender, whether the CKR had a foster programme, and foster programme capacity. Descriptive statistics were provided for all quantitative study variables and free-text comments were analysed for common themes.

RESULTS: Of the 64 organisations that indicated they cared for cats on the broader companion animal rescue survey, 50 (78%) completed the questions on CKR. At the time of the survey, these 50 organisations cared for an estimated total of 6,206 cats (median 39 (IQR 17-96) cats per CKR). The highest reported source of animals was strays (median of the CKR’s reported percentage: 72%; IQR 50-93%), followed by surrendered animals (median 14.5%; IQR 5-31%). The most common reasons for owners surrendering animals were unplanned litters, lack of pet-friendly accommodation, and inability to afford to care for the animal’s daily needs. An estimated median of 66% (IQR 60-80%) of cats under care in the previous year were subsequently rehomed. Most CKR were “usually” (26/50; 52%) or “always” (11/50; 22%) full to capacity. The majority of CKR that responded operated a fostering programme (40/50; 80%), with an estimated 59% (3,619/6,206) of all cats currently in the care of CKR located in foster homes. The availability of fosterers was identified by CKR as the most important factor affecting their ability to accept animals.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These findings highlight that CKR in New Zealand currently handle a large volume of animals each year. Initiatives that focus on preventing unplanned litters, ensuring owned free-roaming cats have permanent identification through microchipping, and initiatives to prevent unnecessary owner relinquishment may help to reduce the number of animals entering care. With the majority of CKR relying on foster programmes, there is a need for further research to better understand how these operate and whether there may be opportunities to expand their capacity.

PMID:40111413 | DOI:10.1080/00480169.2025.2473347

Prim Health Care Res Dev. 2025 Mar 20;26:e29. doi: 10.1017/S1463423625000222.

ABSTRACT

AIM: This study aims to assess the effect of primary health care (PHC) service provision continuity on inpatient admissions for people with chronic diseases in Estonia.

BACKGROUND: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) were collectively responsible for more than 7 out of 10 deaths worldwide in 2019. As the burden of NCDs increases, PHC has an increased role of coordinating care management. High-performing PHC can reduce unnecessary hospitalizations. Estonia has a strong PHC system focusing on multidisciplinary care. Yet it has not been evaluated for its effect on hospitalizations. Therefore, it is imperative to evaluate PHC continuity to improve care for NCD patients.

METHODS: This study used routinely collected electronic medical billing data of the Estonian population aged 15 years or older from 2005 to 2020 identifying patients with seven ambulatory care sensitive chronic (ACSC) conditions. We developed an indicator to describe the continuity of PHC. Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) was used to assess the impact of comorbidities and we controlled the patient’s age, gender, county of residency and socio-economic status. We estimated multilevel logistic regression models with family doctor patient list random effects to assess how the odds of hospitalization depend on continuity of care, allowing for confounders.

FINDINGS: We identified that 45% of the adult Estonian population had at least one of the target diagnoses. Among the target population, 96% had contact with their PHC providers. We found that there is a non-linear relationship between PHC continuity and patient outcomes. Any contact with PHC provider during the past 5 years decreases odds for hospitalization, but hospitalization risk is higher for people who are elderly and have higher CCI score. We found that after accounting for patient characteristics, differences among patient lists minimally impact outcomes. Further research should explore policies to better support family doctors in reducing hospitalizations for chronic patients.

PMID:40111407 | DOI:10.1017/S1463423625000222